There are many quotes we find ourselves saying repeatedly at Round the Bend Farm (RTB). Be the Change you want to See in the World by Gandhi, Walk our Talk, and Let Food be Thy Medicine and Medicine be Thy Food by Hippocrates are just a few of the most common. Hippocrates’s quote especially resonates with us as we truly believe that healthy, local food creates healthy bodies and communities. Hippocrates lived during a time in our history (born in Greece c. 460 BC – c. 370 BC) when many believed that medicine was directly linked to religion and ill health was punishment that was inflicted by the gods.

Conversely, Hippocrates, a trained physician, believed that diseases were caused naturally, not because of superstition and gods. He spent his life contending and teaching that disease was the product of environmental factors, diet, and living habits. Now, fast forward to 2015, we understand how true his message was and yet we still do not always heed the warning signs. Our lives are busy, and convenience has become all too often the message we are bombarded with by media regarding our food choices. At RTB, we want to help foster an old message in a new way. Food is Medicine- it can be convenient and even free, as you will see in some instances.

So here on the farm we have shared meals and take turns cooking. In the winter months, it is quieter and we take a break from making breakfasts and folks fend for themselves in the mornings. This week we started back up with community breakfast since we are getting back into our busy season. To […]

By Laura Killingbeck Over the years we’ve been making a variety of breads with wild yeasts. But lately our sourdough starter hasn’t seen a lot of action. Luckily, this Fall our friend Jen Snyder popped by the farm and gave us a fresh starter and a fresh start at crafting sourdough loaves. After an afternoon […]

By Laura Killingbeck Acorns have a long history as human food. They were eaten widely by Native Americans, and are still a food source in a number of places around the world. Acorns are used globally in breads, sweets, pastas, and acorn tofu. This year we had an amazing acorn season. Every time I walked across […]

By Laura Killingbeck There’s nothing like the smell and flavor of real corn, baked into cornbread or roasted on a skillet as a tortilla. Corn has been grown and eaten in these ways for thousands of years throughout the Americas. Unfortunately, in many areas, genetically modified, chemical-dependent corn monocultures have given this plant a dicey […]

By: Benoit Azagoh-Kouadio The springtime turn brings out one of our favorite vernal vegetables at Round the Bend Farm (RTB): Nettles! Infamous itches, riling rashes, and bristly burns, who does not know the common “Stinging Nettle” from the many motherly admonitions and filial fears it inspires? Here at RTB, we value the lowly nettle for the […]

By: Laura Killingbeck Dragonfire tincture is a blend of three special medicinal herbs–turmeric, tulsi, and black pepper– that work in harmony with each other to reduce inflammation and support the immune system. Turmeric is used widely in western medicine as well as traditional practices, to treat chronic and acute conditions. Black pepper increases turmeric’s bioavailability […]

By: Laura Killingbeck Friendly Dragon Pepper Mixes Most people stock spicy chile powder in the kitchen. But what about a mild chile pepper powder? Peppers come in an array of flavors and colors that make delicious, fragrant, powdered spice. Red Friendly Dragon Pepper Mix Use any sweet red peppers, like lunch box peppers or bell […]

This dish is a wonderful way to get nutrient-dense beef liver into your diet. Shaun used grass-fed beef liver from Paradox Acres in this recipe. We recommend using a trusted grass-fed source to get beef liver. Liver is loaded with a wide spectrum of vitamins, minerals, proteins and fat. It is particularly rich in the […]

Check out this yummy dish for all those summer veggies! Our teammate Danielle took a recipe from Gourmet and made a couple alterations to make it more seasonal. We had the pleasure of eating it for lunch last week and were so excited about it we thought we would share it with you all! Give […]

By: Shaun Van Laarhoven This past winter I had the opportunity to take Jade Alicandro Mace’s, Community Herbalist “Food As Medicine” three-series class held at Blue Dragon Apothecary in Greenfield, MA. In my “chef role” at Round The Bend Farm I try to prepare nutritious meals for folks who live, work and volunteer on the […]

The days are long and everyone seems to be trying to pack as much as they can into each one. Summer is a very busy time of year and taking advantage of all the flourishing fruits and vegetables can sometimes seem overwhelming. Eating raw can be quick and simple! You don’t even need to turn […]

Stinging Nettles – (Urtica dioca) One of the greatest revelations I had when I started working at RTB was realizing that stinging nettles weren’t only edible, but were delicious and highly nutritious! What I once considered a pesky and painful weed is actually a plant that I have come to honor and cultivate in my […]

I know what you are thinking; here it comes again, another blog about bone broth. Why is this stuff suddenly the rage? Why is everyone suddenly so enamored with this stuff? And how is it any different from regular broth or stock? Well, these are all good questions and hopefully, this Bone Broth blog will […]

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has been my go-to immune booster ever since I had children and learned about its amazing health benefits. It has a long history of uses and is revered for its antioxidant and antiviral qualities. In Old World tradition, an elder bush was planted at the edge of a garden as the “protector” […]

This month we have been enjoying a daily dose of the wild edible weed known as Lambs Quarters (Chenopodium album). Yes, I said weed. However, once upon a time, this annual weed received more respect. Prior to the introduction of spinach from Southeast Asia, lambs quarters were the go-to-greens. They are a genuine super-food high […]

Round the Bend Farm (RTB), a Center for Restorative Community, located in Dartmouth, Massachusetts is a working farm and educational non-profit. We are a living laboratory that cultivates, educates, and empowers people of all ages. We are devoted to the global paradigm shift toward hope and abundance by valuing diversity, modeling nature, and redefining wealth.